Solon pushes for affordable medical schools

In a bid to address the shortage of doctors in the country and improve the healthcare system, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to urgently certify a series of bills aimed at establishing new schools of medicine in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

The push for these new medical schools is not only about increasing the number of doctors but also about democratizing access to medical education, making it more accessible to students across the nation.

Libanan, who is the principal author of House Bill 9872, has introduced legislation that seeks to create a new college of medicine at the Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City.

This proposal is part of a broader initiative to expand medical education in the provinces and ensure that future doctors can be trained and educated without having to incur the prohibitive costs often associated with private medical schools.

In addition to the Eastern Samar proposal, Libanan has been involved in pushing for similar bills that would establish colleges of medicine in eight other state universities and colleges across the country.

These include the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Quezon City, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City, and Samar State University in Catbalogan City, among others.

These bills reflect the urgent need to create more opportunities for students from various regions to pursue medical education without the financial burden that often deters aspiring doctors from enrolling in private institutions.

Libanan has highlighted the significance of these proposed schools of medicine in addressing the country’s medical workforce shortage. He pointed out that the Philippines is currently facing a situation where it is not producing enough new doctors to meet the demands of an aging population and to replace doctors who retire or migrate overseas.

The country’s doctor-to-population ratio is alarmingly low, with only about 3.6 doctors for every 10,000 people, according to the Department of Health.

The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 10 doctors per 10,000 people, or one doctor for every 1,000 people, a target that the Philippines has yet to reach.

Libanan explained that the primary reason for the shortage is the high cost of medical education at pate universities, which makes it difficult for many students to pursue medical degrees.

By establishing more colleges of medicine in SUCs, particularly in provinces, the government can reduce the financial burden on students and provide a more equitable pathway to medical education. This, in turn, will help increase the number of doctors available to serve in underserved areas, where healthcare access is often limited.

The call for more medical schools is not just about addressing the immediate shortage of doctors but also about creating a long-term solution to ensure a constant supply of healthcare professionals who can provide quality services to Filipinos across the country.

As Libanan pointed out, if the Philippines is to guarantee that all citizens have access to adequate healthcare, it is essential to produce a steady stream of new doctors to replace those who are retiring or leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

While Libanan’s proposals are still under review, his efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for systemic change in the country’s medical education landscape.

Despite being a lawyer by profession, Libanan holds a degree in medical technology and understands firsthand the importance of healthcare access. He has also represented Eastern Samar in Congress for nine years, making him deeply aware of the challenges faced by provinces that lack sufficient healthcare professionals.

Now, as a representative of the 4Ps party-list, he continues to advocate for policies that will address these issues.